Humility

Why humble? Jesus did mention this, as recorded in Matthew 6:3

"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full."

This gives me a moment of reflection, as to the purpose of Spirit Garden. Let me assume for the time being that I am not announcing it with trumpets, and that my writings do not inspire the honor of men. I would not mind that, I do admit. However, the Lord has told me that my pleasure from this is my reward in full.

I think that humility can be defined as knowing the place of man before God. When we give thanks we are showing humility. We are given so many gifts, freely, only with the price that we believe in God, that we accept the sacrifice of his Son to pay the price for our sins.

But I must know that I have a great purpose in accepting God's love. That is to reflect, like a polished sterling plate, and shine forth the witness to His love and many blessings. How do I do this? That is my question, and I don't have the answer. Many have gone before me and have been examples for me to study. Listening. The humble act of listening to the thoughts and concerns of others. This will touch their heart. This will inspire them to question why I care about them. This will enable God to bless them again, it seems to me.

I think I will ponder the importance of humility, and the paradox of shining like a star to witness the love of God to my fellow man. It is one of the great mysteries that I cannot solve. I pray the Holy Spirit grants me peace to accept the many mysteries of the ways of God. In a great way they keep me humble.

What it's like to have an answered prayer

. Photograph from mybapc.com.

I am blessed, and I can see that every day. My prayer requests often center around changes I would like to have in my personal life. These are peacefulness, productivity, and better interpersonal relations for example. I am praying for my own happiness it would seem, like many of us probably do. Some of the wishes I have seem simple on the surface but the complexity comes from observing the process of change within my own life.

For example, when my prayers for transformation of spirit are answered, new challenges emerge. I may be able to communicate more clearly, but then I have a new agenda of things to say, meaningful things that don't hopefully center on me or my own comfort and fulfillment. I have an improved vision to see the needs of others and my need to help them get their needs met.

I may be blessed with more stamina and endurance. Then I have the new capabilities to serve in a greater way. Another blessing is that this is often my fulfillment, I have humbly observed. I pray that God opens my eyes, my heart, and my spirit to acceptance of his teachings and revelation and that I may be an instrument of his peace.

Now "Go forth into all the world, and preach the gospel to all creation." Mark 16:15

Gathered in His Name

For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. Matthew 18:20


Really. This passage is powerful, exciting. Why should Jesus come among us in our gathering to read God's word, to share time together in His name? I don't think there is any answer and it may be wrong to even ask. The Bible is ample evidence for God's love that is given to us freely. But the question comes up because Jesus' promise is evident in activities I've recently participated in. One was a series of home meetings with fellow parishoners with a planned sequence of discussion topics. Over the course of about 6 weeks, I made new friends and we'll likely get together in the future for a cookout or something like that.

Another was a free clinic that was held on Saturday. I really didn't go in, as volunteer, with a great attitude as I already had things I was doing and other things that I wanted to do. But this setup was indeed impressive. The number of volunteers that get together for this activity in the spirit of service is amazing. The charity expressed was sincere and contagious. My day was transformed by my participation and by the people I met, both fellow clinicians, and especially the clinic attendees.

I wish I could express my gratitude to the people at Sojourn Louisville for getting me involved in the service project. I can vouch for the palpable presence of God in such gatherings. The blessing can be pushed forward by my own acts of sacrifice and sharing in the spirit of faith sharing and I pray that I be reminded of this holy obligation on a daily basis.


Dear heavenly Father, we seek your fellowship and praise your providence and blessings. May I be blessed with insight for making more opportunities to spread your message for my brothers and sisters, unselfishly and in your name. Amen.

Light, cannot be turned off

There is a book and music exchange on Bardstown Road, here in Louisville KY. That is actually the name of the establishment, and when I walked past it on this rainy Easter morning with our dog Elsa, the open sign was still illuminated. Across it was a printout which stated the following:

"For the time being, the open sign cannot be turned off. Our hours of operation are 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, and 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Sundays. Thank you for your understanding."

Well, I do realize that this is an opportunity to draw some parallels with this blog. I have not really shared it with many people, or given anyone else the opportunity to read, respond, or reject. I may be fearful of trying this. My open sign is not lit, much less stuck in the turned on position.

I have to think about what the old spiritual song 's words say: This little light of mine, I'm a gonna let it shine" Happy Easter to all. And I believe that Jesus Christ "Rose on the third day, in fulfillment of the scriptures, and sits at the right hand of the Father."

Oh Happy Day

Oh Happy Day

When Jesus washed my sins away! That is the main theme of the popular song. I now

have a CD that I compiled, with MP3's from 3 different artists singing this. I really like

to listen to it in the car, or at the end of the day at work. For some reason it is very

uplifting, and I suspect that most people have a similar response to some degree.

For several days when listening to this I was thinking it was referring to Easter time.

That is a little troubling, since the crucifixion was a terrible thing from one point of

view. But really there are a lot of parallels from our baptism (the washing that I think

was actually referred to in the song) to Christ's death and resurrection. Both acts

were done, according to my understanding and some commentary that I have read, so

that our sins could be forgiven.

Original sin is the traditional baptismal absolution. I was taught that we are all born

with original sin. After we are baptized, this is forgiven. Traditionally, Catholics are

baptized as babies, so that we might be able to go to Heaven if we die in infancy or

childhood. I do realize that this has been rethought by the reformationists. I have not

had the opportunity to examine this controversy in any detail, nor do I really think I

could fully understand the issues involved or make an independent judgment about

this.

In all honesty, I don't think that there is a fine distinction here*. I am following the

pathway of my forebears. I do not know with any certainty how many generations back

the practice of Catholicism goes on my maternal or paternal side. But I do value my

religion of birth, since I undoubtedly was influenced by it the most.

What I do appreciate is the literal and symbolic greatness of Jesus' being baptized in

the River Jordan by John the Baptist. Also I am blessed to have been brought up in the

Christian Catholic faith which has revealed the presence of Jesus on earth, his

becoming a man, his teaching, then ultimately his persecution and death. Finally, the

resurrection and all the things which come after, that are revealed in the teachings

and traditions of the Church. With this knowledge I am satisfied that truly today is a

Happy Day, as is every day! Amen.

___________________________
*To do list: research this issue soon!

Passion Sunday

The readings from the Gospel on Sunday were very moving this week. The readings do not go into great detail about the cruel treatment of Jesus by the high priests and elders of the Temple. That is left to our imagination and retellings of fiction and movies. However, it is a great time to be alive in this world, because Jesus died for our sins. We are truly loved. We are redeemed. This is the encouragement that we need when we feel that our sins are too great a burden, that we are unworthy of God's love.

The Church is a great resource but requires our presence and our performance. We ARE the Church! Cliche' or not, let's say it: Praise God! Hallelujah!

SIN

Picture, courtesy of http://stevelummer.wordpress.com/2009/12/04/yank-the-plank/



Matthew 7:4 How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?


The thing I like the most about this passage is the reassurance that I am not responsible to pass judgment on my neighbor. God has commanded that we leave that up to him. I have enough of a charge in examining my own life and repenting for the sins that I can identify (that's not the tough part) and then ask for forgiveness.

I think the clergy of the Catholic church is to help us see the true and virtuous path. But I am not ordained to this office. I can listen to a sermon, find a website that discusses these matters, and ponder them at length. However, I feel that I cannot hear confession and cannot know all of the circumstances of others actions, omissions, or misadventures. I do, as a Catholic, seek to believe in sin, to learn the ones that are mortal sins, the ones that are not. By applying them to myself and being an example, as well as moments of appropriate teaching of those to whom I am a position of authority, I can foster the goals of virtue in our Christian community.

Throughout my life I have made choices based on my sense of right and wrong. There are biblical passages that suggest our conscience, our moral value system is God given. I did not originate it. Through the growth and maturation process I have determined the things that I think are the most serious, in terms of hurting my relationship with God. I do make the most effort to avoid these. I pray now that I continue to seek God's will, to be a good example to my family and friends, and to pray for the souls of the lost and the fallen away.